Article by Community Associations Institute
Community associations are not immune in this recession. Sadly, some homes have been abandoned. The homes were foreclosed and the owners moved away. When banks take over these properties, they usually don’t realize they need to pay the regular assessment. With the depth of the foreclosure crisis and their own financial problems, banks are struggling to keep up.
It’s hard not to complain about a nearby property looking downtrodden. We all want to come home to a community we can be proud of. If the house next door is abandoned or not maintained, offer to help. Be sure to check with the association first if you want to clean up an abandoned property. The property may belong to the bank, the association or the financially-strapped owner. If no one is given notice that volunteers are coming to maintain a property, trespassing charges can be filed—not exactly a nice return on generosity.
If given approval to access a property, there are simple things volunteers can do to improve the look. When the trash is cleaned up, the yard is watered and mowed and the newspapers, door hangers and phone books are picked up off the porch, the home is less inviting to thieves and looks better.
Having unity in the community has never been more important than in times like these. Thankfully, as neighbors, we have one another. Don’t get angry, get helpful.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Neighborhood Gardens (1)
Who: Judith and Rick
Where: Fairacres Way
Judith and Rick are an amazing couple and it is such a pleasure to have them both living in Monterrey Village. All winter long they have kept their front garden and lawn bright and colorful and we thought it would be a great idea to share with you their wonderful efforts. Fortunately, Judith and Rick were more than happy to let us in on their little secret to keeping their garden so vibrant during the cold, grey days of winter.
Q: Do you maintain your own garden? If not, what landscaping company do you use?
A: My husband and our gardening service Aleed Ansari, (210-656-1243) owner of Staccato, (landscaping and irrigation service) maintain our lawn. Aleed helped Rick set up the beds in front and back and then we have Aleed cut, trim and fertilize our lawn about 2x a month and he takes a break from December through February. Rick keeps bringing in plants for the beds in front and back.
Q: What plant species do you currently have in your garden?
A: Various perennials that are local. In the back gardenias, rose bushes, peach trees and a lime tree.
Q: How often do you water your lawn?
A: In the winter time about 2x a month, in the summer more frequently. Rick hand waters his plants with miracle grow fertilizer about 1x a week.
Q: Do you have any quick tips, ideas, suggestions on how to keep your garden and lawn free of weeds?
A: No, because none come through, maybe it's the mulch that Aleed put on our beds.
(Thank you Judith and Rick!)
Where: Fairacres Way
Judith and Rick are an amazing couple and it is such a pleasure to have them both living in Monterrey Village. All winter long they have kept their front garden and lawn bright and colorful and we thought it would be a great idea to share with you their wonderful efforts. Fortunately, Judith and Rick were more than happy to let us in on their little secret to keeping their garden so vibrant during the cold, grey days of winter.
Q: Do you maintain your own garden? If not, what landscaping company do you use?
A: My husband and our gardening service Aleed Ansari, (210-656-1243) owner of Staccato, (landscaping and irrigation service) maintain our lawn. Aleed helped Rick set up the beds in front and back and then we have Aleed cut, trim and fertilize our lawn about 2x a month and he takes a break from December through February. Rick keeps bringing in plants for the beds in front and back.
Q: What plant species do you currently have in your garden?
A: Various perennials that are local. In the back gardenias, rose bushes, peach trees and a lime tree.
Q: How often do you water your lawn?
A: In the winter time about 2x a month, in the summer more frequently. Rick hand waters his plants with miracle grow fertilizer about 1x a week.
Q: Do you have any quick tips, ideas, suggestions on how to keep your garden and lawn free of weeds?
A: No, because none come through, maybe it's the mulch that Aleed put on our beds.
(Thank you Judith and Rick!)
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Graffiti Information
I am sure everyone has seen the graffiti surrounding our neighborhood, especially over by the gas stations on Judson Road. In fact, graffiti can be found on the fence surrounding our very own neighborhood! If you think this is unacceptable, find out how you can help our community to stay free of graffiti by visiting the following links:
1) City Council's Neighborhood Association Agenda
2) New Graffiti Proposed Ordinance
3) Wipe it Out - San Antonio
If anyone is interested in picking up a paintbrush, you can volunteer with various city departments that do graffiti abatement projects. Just call the housing and neighborhood Services at (210) 207-5430, or Environmental Services/Keep San Antonio Beautiful at (210) 207-6460.
1) City Council's Neighborhood Association Agenda
2) New Graffiti Proposed Ordinance
3) Wipe it Out - San Antonio
If anyone is interested in picking up a paintbrush, you can volunteer with various city departments that do graffiti abatement projects. Just call the housing and neighborhood Services at (210) 207-5430, or Environmental Services/Keep San Antonio Beautiful at (210) 207-6460.
Neighborhood News
As of Wednesday, February 4th, there were over 50 new violations discovered throughout the neighborhood. The two main concerns are: 1) Failure to hide away Recycling and Trash Bins 2) Storing inoperative vehicles on the driveway (this includes broken down cars and/or cars without a valid inspection sticker or proper plates.
Ideas of where to store your Recycle/Trash Bins:
1) Garage
2) Behind Fences (such as your back yard)
3) Any "out of sight" area
Ideas of what to do with inoperable cars:
1) Put your car into storage
2) Park your car in the garage
3) Update your registration (you must have valid inspection stickers and proper plates)
Notices will be going out in the mail to those residents who failed to comply with these and other HOA covenants. Please remember after enough violations you will be fined, so please do your part to keep the neighborhood looking great by following these simples rules.
Thank you!
Ideas of where to store your Recycle/Trash Bins:
1) Garage
2) Behind Fences (such as your back yard)
3) Any "out of sight" area
Ideas of what to do with inoperable cars:
1) Put your car into storage
2) Park your car in the garage
3) Update your registration (you must have valid inspection stickers and proper plates)
Notices will be going out in the mail to those residents who failed to comply with these and other HOA covenants. Please remember after enough violations you will be fined, so please do your part to keep the neighborhood looking great by following these simples rules.
Thank you!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monterrey Village Board Brief
The Board has released another Board Brief for Winter 2009. Everyone in the neighborhood should have received a copy of this brief via snail mail; however I went ahead and scanned in my copy for everyone to see, just incase. The following items were address in the brief: 1) Overdue Payments 2) Payment Plans 3) How HOA's operate and how they benefit you! 4) Violation of City and HOA ordinances 5) Volunteer Opportunites 5) Blog information. Just click on the images below to enlarge them.
You can find all previously published Board Briefs online in .pdf format on the Neighborhood Link website. If you have any questions about the Board Brief, please contact one of our Board of Directors, whos names and emails can be found in the right hand column of this blog.
Thank you!
You can find all previously published Board Briefs online in .pdf format on the Neighborhood Link website. If you have any questions about the Board Brief, please contact one of our Board of Directors, whos names and emails can be found in the right hand column of this blog.
Thank you!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A Message from the Covenants Chair
I recently asked Rob Banda, our Covenants Chairperson, for a quick list of the 'neighborhood rules' set by the Homeowners Association in order to remind all residents of Monterrey Village, especially any newcomers to the neighborhood, of what they might be. Please look over the following list to get familiar with some of them:
1. Keeping pets (especially dogs) on a leash and cleaning up after them when walking.
2. Keeping trash cans behind fence, in garage, out of sight from the street to help keep the neighborhood looking good.
3. Paying HOA dues. (Rob spoke with a neighbor who told him that he forgot to pay the first year he moved in and received a bill for 700 dollars for interest and lawyer fees and he had a lien placed on his house and vowed never do that again.)
4. Keeping up with your yard (pulling weeds, mowing the grass, trimming bushes, etc).
5. Parking RV's, large trailers, boats, large commercial trucks is prohibited per city ordanace.
This list above is not a complete list and contains only general descriptions. For more details, regarding the Homeowners Association and all the covenants, please visit the Neighborhood Link.
1. Keeping pets (especially dogs) on a leash and cleaning up after them when walking.
2. Keeping trash cans behind fence, in garage, out of sight from the street to help keep the neighborhood looking good.
3. Paying HOA dues. (Rob spoke with a neighbor who told him that he forgot to pay the first year he moved in and received a bill for 700 dollars for interest and lawyer fees and he had a lien placed on his house and vowed never do that again.)
4. Keeping up with your yard (pulling weeds, mowing the grass, trimming bushes, etc).
5. Parking RV's, large trailers, boats, large commercial trucks is prohibited per city ordanace.
This list above is not a complete list and contains only general descriptions. For more details, regarding the Homeowners Association and all the covenants, please visit the Neighborhood Link.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Looking for Your Kitten?
Please see the information below if you have lost your kitty:
Found: Black Kitty
Contact: Jacob Pistokche
Address: 6723 Nora Vista Way
Phone: 279-5118
This information was submitted on January 10, 2009.
**UPDATE** Owners have been located!
Found: Black Kitty
Contact: Jacob Pistokche
Address: 6723 Nora Vista Way
Phone: 279-5118
This information was submitted on January 10, 2009.
**UPDATE** Owners have been located!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thank you all for helping to make 2008 a great year! I hope everyone has a safe and happy year in 2009! Remember to pay your dues to help continue to keep our neighborhood a beautiful and great place to live.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Announcing the 2009 Annual Assessment
The Board of Directors have announced the due date for the 2009 Annual Assessment! The due date for payment is January 1, 2009 for the amount of $180.00 for developed lots and 1/4th of $180 for undeveloped lots.
Your checks/money order can be made payable to MVHOA and mailed to:
MVHOA
P.O. Box 100431
San Antonio, TX 78201
No bills will be sent out to homeowners, so if you did not receive the initial notice in the mail, please let this notice be a reminder to pay your association fees.
If you are unable to make full payment, you have the option to take advantage of the "Two Payment Plan," but it is your responsibility and obligation to notify the Board in writing before the due date and request a special payment plan.
Thank you and the Board looks forward to 100% cooperation from all homeowners in Monterrey Village!
Your checks/money order can be made payable to MVHOA and mailed to:
MVHOA
P.O. Box 100431
San Antonio, TX 78201
No bills will be sent out to homeowners, so if you did not receive the initial notice in the mail, please let this notice be a reminder to pay your association fees.
If you are unable to make full payment, you have the option to take advantage of the "Two Payment Plan," but it is your responsibility and obligation to notify the Board in writing before the due date and request a special payment plan.
Thank you and the Board looks forward to 100% cooperation from all homeowners in Monterrey Village!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Children of a Lessor God
Beginning next week, one of our lovely neighbors will be participating in a play at The SheldonVexler Theatre. She has asked me to share this information with you here on the blog and I am happy to do so. If you think you might be interested in this event, please click on the flyer below for more details.
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If you have an event planned or are apart of an event that you think the neighborhood might like to hear about, please send me an email and I will share your event with the neighborhood via the Neighborhood Link Community Calendar and the blog.
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If you have an event planned or are apart of an event that you think the neighborhood might like to hear about, please send me an email and I will share your event with the neighborhood via the Neighborhood Link Community Calendar and the blog.
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